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Veterinary medicine and science2024; 10(4); e1501; doi: 10.1002/vms3.1501

Effect of silica-sprayed collection tubes on synovial fluid bacterial culture.

Abstract: Silica-sprayed tubes (SSTs) are often used to transport synovial fluid samples in equine practice. They promote the coagulation of the sample. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of SST on bacterial culture. The study was divided into two parts: sterile saline (Part A) and synovial fluid (Part B). Four common bacteria associated with equine synovial sepsis were used: Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Three collection tubes were used: STT, plain (no-additives) and brain and heart infusion (BHI) broth. Bacteria were cultured in horse blood agar plates for 48 h. Outcome variables were negative culture, positive culture and total number of colony-forming units (CFUs). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U test, and significance was set at p < 0.05. The total number of agar plates read was 1557 (779 saline; 778 synovial fluid). Total negative cultures were 25/779 on saline and 3/778 on synovial fluid. In broth, maximum growth CFU was achieved after 8 h for both saline and synovial fluid for all bacteria. S. pyogenesand E. coli produced a significantly lower number of CFU when in SST compared to plain or broth after 4 h, whereas S. aureus (American Type Culture Collection [ATCC] and MRSA) only after 24 h. Silica-containing tubes reduced bacterial proliferation, whereas the use of a BHI broth provided the highest bacterial load in the sample. The use of SST may have a negative effect on bacterial proliferation in samples obtained from clinical cases.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-26 PubMed ID: 38923315PubMed Central: PMC11196375DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1501Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigates how silica-sprayed tubes (SSTs), commonly used for collecting and transporting synovial fluid in horses, affect the growth of bacteria in culture.
  • The study focuses on whether SSTs influence bacterial proliferation compared to plain tubes and broth-containing tubes, with implications for diagnosing joint infections in horses.

Purpose and Background

  • Silica-sprayed tubes (SSTs) are often used in equine veterinary practice to collect synovial fluid, as they promote coagulation of the sample.
  • Synovial fluid bacterial culture is critical for diagnosing joint infections (sepsis), and it is important to understand if SSTs affect bacterial growth during sample transport and processing.
  • The study aimed to test whether SSTs influence the ability to culture four common bacteria implicated in equine synovial sepsis:
    • Streptococcus pyogenes
    • Escherichia coli
    • Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, MRSA)

Study Design

  • The study was conducted in two parts:
    • Part A: Using sterile saline as a fluid medium to test bacterial growth
    • Part B: Using actual equine synovial fluid to mimic clinical conditions
  • Three types of collection tubes were compared:
    • SST (silica-sprayed tubes)
    • Plain tubes without additives
    • Brain and Heart Infusion (BHI) broth tubes, which support bacterial growth
  • Bacteria were cultured on horse blood agar plates and incubated for up to 48 hours.
  • Key outcomes measured:
    • Whether cultures were positive or negative
    • Total colony-forming units (CFUs), reflecting bacterial proliferation
  • Statistical analysis used the Mann-Whitney U test with a significance threshold of p < 0.05.

Key Findings

  • Total agar plates read: 1,557 (779 from saline tests, 778 from synovial fluid tests).
  • Negative cultures were rare: 25/779 in saline and 3/778 in synovial fluid samples.
  • Bacterial growth peaked after 8 hours in BHI broth tubes for all bacteria and sample types.
  • Compared to plain or broth tubes, SST tubes showed significantly reduced bacterial proliferation:
    • Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli had fewer CFUs in SST tubes as early as 4 hours.
    • Staphylococcus aureus (both standard strain and MRSA) showed reduced CFUs in SST tubes but only after 24 hours incubation.
  • BHI broth tubes consistently yielded the highest bacterial counts, indicating better support for bacterial growth during transport.

Implications

  • The presence of silica in SST tubes inhibits bacterial proliferation of common pathogens found in equine synovial infections.
  • This inhibition can lead to lower bacterial counts during culture, potentially resulting in false negatives or underestimation of bacterial load.
  • Using SST tubes for transporting synovial fluid samples in clinical practice may negatively impact the accuracy of bacterial culture results.
  • BHI broth tubes, which promote bacterial growth, may be a better choice for transporting synovial fluid samples when accurate bacterial culture is essential.
  • Clinicians should consider the type of collection tube used for synovial fluid to avoid compromising diagnostic sensitivity for joint infections in horses.

Summary

  • This study suggests that although SST tubes are convenient and widely used, their silica coating can reduce the growth of bacteria critical for diagnosing joint infections in horses.
  • The data advocate for careful selection of collection tube types, favoring broth-containing tubes when bacterial culture is required to improve detection and clinical decision-making.

Cite This Article

APA
Jimenez Rihuete P, Martin C, Villarino NF, Rubio-Martínez LM. (2024). Effect of silica-sprayed collection tubes on synovial fluid bacterial culture. Vet Med Sci, 10(4), e1501. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1501

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: e1501
PII: e1501

Researcher Affiliations

Jimenez Rihuete, Pablo
  • Sussex Equine Hospital, Ashington, UK.
Martin, Carolynn
  • Sussex Equine Hospital, Ashington, UK.
Villarino, Nicolas F
  • Veterinary Pharmacology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
Rubio-Martínez, Luis M
  • Sussex Equine Hospital, Ashington, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Synovial Fluid / microbiology
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Specimen Handling / methods
  • Specimen Handling / veterinary
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / physiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Bacteriological Techniques / veterinary
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / drug effects
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / isolation & purification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification

Grant Funding

  • GVMB research fund

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors whose names are listed have no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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